Classes, Hearings, and Back-to-School Nights before Writers Festival caps the week

Sunday, Sept. 13

Cascade Summit Bike Challenge. Check-in for the ride is at 10 a.m. at the Cascade Lake Day Use Shelter in Moran State Park. The ride begins at 10:30 a.m. with a choice of three routes. Registration cost for the ride is $30 per individual; kids 12 and under pay $15.

“Poisoned Waters,” Hedrick Smith’s two-hour PBS documentary on Puget Sound and Chesapeake Bay, is being shown at the Orcas Center, starting at 4:30 pm.  Supper will be served between the two hours. Tickets are available at Darvill’s, Orcas Public Library and Orcas Center. $10 each. Only a limited number are left.

“Brilliant Traces” Play at the Grange at 7:30 p.m. Full length play with Melinda Milligan and Norm Stamper playing characters who inhabit an Alaskan cabin during a blizzard. Tickets are $10 and available at Darvill’s or at the door. For additional information, contact Doug Bechtel at 317-5601 or doug@orcasactors.com

Monday, Sept. 14

T’ai Chi free introductory class begins new series starting with Joan Roulac at the Senior Center, 376-2677.  9:30a.m. at the Orcas Senior Center. Level 1 classes will be from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. and Level 2 classes will be from 11 a.m. to noon. The cost for the series, which ends Nov. 2,  is $80. Contact Roulac at 376-6336 or email chiworks4me@gmail.com

Tuesday, Sept. 15

OASIS Site Council meeting, 10 a.m. 376-2284.

Orcas Island Community Foundation Annual Meeting Honoring Bob and Marsha Waunch, 11:30 at Rosario. $25. Call 376-6423.

Water Element Discussion of the Comprehensive Plan, 4:45 to 6:45 at the Eastsound Fire Hall, call Shireene Hale at 370-7569.

School Board discussion of questions for upcoming interviews with Architects for upcoming school bond. Special Meeting 5 p.m. School Library . 376-2284.

Free Lunch at the Orcas Island Community Church, provided by Gypsy Willow Catering and friends, 12:30 to 2 p.m. Open to all.

High School Back to School Night, 6:30 p.m. Parents meet in the cafeteria and then follow their students’ schedules

Wednesday, Sept. 16

San Juan Marine Resources Committee Meeting from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the Islanders Bank Annex basement conference room, Friday Harbor

Public hearing before County Hearing Examiner on an application by J. Starr Farish to construct an events/conference center across the street from the Outlook Inn, 118 Main Street in Eastsound, at 9:30 a.m. in Key Bank, Friday Harbor.Call 378-2354 or 378-2116.

Hearts and Hands Volunteer Orientation, 9 a.m. at the Senior Center. For more information, please call 376-7723 or email heartsandhands@orcasonline.com

Richard Fadem will offer a class on James Joyce’s Ulysses, beginning today at Emmanuel Parish Hall from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The fee is $20.

Guided Olga History Tour. 2:30 p.m. Begin at Orcas Island Artworks for an historical journey through Olga.   Business attractions include:  Orcas Island Artworks, James Hardman Gallery, Café Olga, Olga Pottery, Sweet Home Garden, Olga Store and Buck Bay Shellfish Farm.  Suggested donation of $5 with all proceeds going to Community projects. Contact Betty @ 360-376-5974 or leave message @ * 1.

“Increasing Charitable giving while Decreasing Income and Estate Taxes,” from 3 to 4:30 p.m. at the Orcas Center. Talk by Joe Cohen,  sponsored by the Orcas Island Community Foundation.This presentation is free and open to the public. 376-6423.

Farm to Table Dinner at the Senior Center, prepared and served by the Orcas Fur and Feathers 4-H Club, 5:30 to 7 p.m. salad, soup, lasagna (meat and vegi) and apple crisp are on the menu. All welcome: $6 for seniors, $10 for adults, and $6 for kids,

"Their Eyes Were Watching God," subject of the Big Read, featured this week at the Orcas Island Writers Festival.

Thursday, Sept. 17

Orcas Island Writers Festival begins. Registration at the Outlook Inn in Eastsound, to run through Sunday, Sept. 20. www.orcasislandwritersfestival.com

Picture Book Writing Class 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Orcas Library. $65, must be preregistered at www.orcasislandwritersfestival.com, or call 317-4383.

High Tea with Zora Neale Hurston at the Outlook Inn, Victorian Room Sharon Abreu sings Billie Holiday songs commemorating the Harlem Renaissance. Free and 0pen to all.

Children’s Author Deb Lund reads to children at the Outlook Inn at 4:30 p.m. as part of the Orcas Island Writers Festival.

Orcas Island Elementary Back to School night at 6:30 p.m.

Friends of the Library Annual Meeting, 6:30 p.m. at the Library. Peter Fisher to speak on the history of Madrona Point. Call 376-4985.

Friday, Sept. 18

County Planning Commission meeting at the Orcas Grange, beginning at 10 a.m. to for public hearing and deliberations on the Hay Open Open Space application, and on the proposed Country Corner LAMIRD Plan and Rezone of Parcels within the LAMIRD Study Area to Less than Urban Density. Call 378-2354 or 378-2116.

Talking About Hurston with Al Young 2005 California Poet Laureate Al Young discusses Zora Neale Hurston’s Their Eyes Were Watching God at the Emmanuel Parish Hall on Friday, September 18 from 2 to 4 p.m. Free and Open to the Public, sponsored by the Orcas Island Writers Festival.

Saturday, Sept. 19

Skate repair 1 to 4 p.m. in the old gym, in preparation for the PTSA Friday night roller-skating season. Please bring socket wrenches.

Al Young and Martin Lund: A Night of Poetry and Jazz at the Orcas Centers Main Stage on Saturday, Sept. 19 at 7:30 p.m. Free and open to all. Sponsored by the Orcas Island Writers Festival.

Sunday, Sept. 20

Community Mindfulness Forum at the Odd Fellows Hall. Potluck dinner starts at 4.  Music with Martin Lund and Yoga/Movement with Terra Dally. Michael Mele facilitates the forum discussion. 376-1547.

Writers Festival concludes with a dinner with the authors, prepared by island chef Bill Patterson, from 5:30 to 9, for $28. Carolyn Cruso and Dustin Fox will provide entertainment. Call 317-4383 or go to www.orcasisalndwritersfestival.com